Downloadable guide

Aluminum or Steel Tooling: Choosing by Volume, Resin and Wear

Aluminium tooling machines faster and costs less, and for a lot of programs it is the right call. It is also the wrong call more often than buyers are told. This guide sets out where the boundary actually sits: expected volume, glass and mineral loading in the resin, abrasive fillers, and the surfaces that see the most wear.

What's inside

• Shot-count expectations for aluminium and for pre-hardened and hardened steel
• Why glass-filled and flame-retardant resins change the answer
• Polishability, welding and repair behaviour on the shop floor
• Lead time and cost comparison, including the re-tool you may pay for twice